Marrakesh, Morocco
If you had asked me a year ago what comes to mind when I think of Morocco, I probably would have said it’s just another holiday destination. You know, the kind of place people flock to for a break. But that’s not really my scene—I’ve always preferred to explore countries “from the inside out,” getting to know them in a more authentic way. Before my trip, I watched a few travel videos and read blog posts, all of which often described Morocco as a blend of Europe and Africa. Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
I’m someone who prefers tranquility over crowds, so I was relieved that my visit didn’t coincide with peak holiday season. Yet, even in the off-season, the afternoon heat was nearly unbearable, so we saved our explorations for the evenings. One thing I regret is not recording the sounds of Marrakesh at night—the diverse music, the chatter of people, the clatter from food stalls setting up in the city center. These are memories I cherish. Marrakesh truly comes alive after dark, and the contrast in the number of people out and about is striking.
Being vegetarians, we found the culinary scene to be decent; there was always something for us at every place we visited, and the food was good. However, the vegetarian version of the tagine was a bit… dull, which was disappointing given that it’s considered a must-try local dish.
What I truly fell in love with, though, was the market and the culture of trade. I’m a huge fan of markets—whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit them because they offer a glimpse into real life. In the heart of Marrakesh, everything is a market—every alleyway is lined with shops catering to tourists. But if you follow the locals, you can find areas where the shopping is done by and for them. The trading culture here is beautiful—the vendors greet you if they see you’re interested, but they’re not pushy or competitive. In fact, I felt almost ignored at times, which I appreciated. Once you express what you’re looking for, the sellers are very engaged, even recommending other shops. At one point, I decided I wanted to buy some clothes, but my size wasn’t available. The vendor took us to a friend’s shop, who then took us to another, until the whole street seemed involved in helping me find something I liked. It was incredibly heartwarming!
Moroccans, in general, are kind and helpful. Of course, like anywhere that sees a lot of tourists, they can get a bit weary, and who can blame them? But when asked for directions or a recommendation, they always responded with kindness and a smile. I felt safe wandering around the areas frequented by locals; in the more crowded tourist spots, I was just a bit more cautious, as it’s easy to understand how “opportunity makes a thief.”
As a photographer, I’m aware that locals can have mixed reactions to cameras, and in Marrakesh, they definitely aren’t fans of being photographed. Trying to sneak a shot doesn’t really work here either. In many instances where I wanted to capture the scene, anyone who noticed the camera—even if they weren’t the subject—would shout out in protest, thinking they were being photographed. Some vendors would ignore me, which I didn’t mind since I prefer capturing candid moments rather than staged ones. The city’s vibrant colors and the play of light make it a photographer’s dream, and I wish I could have spent the entire day capturing it all. Unfortunately, we were there for work, so I only had two days to quickly snap a few shots. One thing is certain—I’ll definitely be returning to hunt for more photos, and, of course, for some serious home décor shopping! Honestly, the variety of beautiful decorations they have is overwhelming—I was gutted that I couldn’t bring everything back with me.
So, if you asked me today what I know about Marrakesh, I’d tell you it’s a place full of beauty, bursting with colors, scents, and flavors. The food is delicious, with endless options, fresh juices, and spices—a culinary paradise. It’s the perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy and take a break from Europe.
